Separating food waste is a positive climate action.
Now in its second year, the National Food Waste Recycling Week will run from the 5th until the 11th June 2023. The campaign managed by MyWaste and supported by Local Authorities aims to encourage everyone to recycle food waste by providing practical advice along with hints and tips on how easy it is to recycle and get everyone involved.
Events will be held locally and nationwide to highlight National Food Waste Recycling Week 2023.
Local Events
Free Food Waste Kitchen Pack Distribution Event
Visit us at the following locations, on the below dates between 10 am - 12 noon & 1 pm – 3 pm
- Wednesday 7th June - Gorey Household Recycling Centre, Gorey Business Park, Ramstown, Gorey, Y25 KT35
- Thursday 8th June - Enniscorthy Household Recycling Centre, Kilcannon, Old Dublin Road, Enniscorthy, Y21 KC43
- Friday 9th June - Holmestown Household Recycling Centre, Barntown Wexford, Y35 Y28W
- Saturday 10th June - New Ross Recycling centre, Hewittsland, New Ross, Y34 HT99
At the above events, subject to availability, attendees will receive a food waste caddy, each with a starter pack of caddy liners and an information leaflet.
For more information on the National Food Waste Recycling Week 2023, see www.mywaste.ie/national-food-waste-recycling-week/
Why is so important?
Food waste is a big issue, as wasted food can sometimes end up in landfill where it will produce methane which is a harmful greenhouse gas; this combined with the resources used to get the food to us, the consumers, and then wasting this food can have significant impacts on the environment. The recycling of food waste diverts this important resource from landfill and allows it to be transformed into renewable energy and fertilisers for horticulture and agriculture use in Ireland.
What can I do?
Currently 160,000 tonnes of bio-waste are recycled in Ireland, while the potential is there to increase this to 550,00 tonnes. This week we want to help increase understanding and awareness of the role that we all can play in Ireland’s circular and green economy. This is simply done through managing our waste efficiently.
Any leftovers can be placed in the caddy, this includes eggshells, tea bags, raw and cooked meat or fish but be sure to remove all foods from packaging first. There are two ways for which a food waste collection will be processed: composting or anaerobic digestion. Very simply composting mixes this food with garden waste to create a fertiliser while anaerobic digestion adds the food to a liquid [digestate] where very small bugs and bacteria breakdown the food which creates a gas which is used to generate electricity.
Every tonne of food waste recycled instead of ending up in landfill can prevent about half a tonne of carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere.